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Playing their part

06 January 2021
1 min read

The first women in the Air Force may not have flown, but they made a great contribution to the war at home.

Collection Item C292380

Accession Number: VIC0960

 Aircraftwomen (and sisters) Paddy and Lee Whitlock of Burwood, NSW, working on a Mosquito at No. 5 Operational Training Unit, Williamtown, NSW. c. 1944. 

In this article, Dr Kerry Neale explores the conditions that changed the old assumptions about women in military service. They not only entered the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, but got beyond the switchboard and into areas such as photo reconnaissance, the crucial job of packing parachutes, and even repairing plane engines.

To read Kerry’s article, purchase your copy of Wartime here.

Last updated: 8 January 2021

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